2 minute read
7 Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile
by Caroline Sandkamp
LinkedIn is a great platform for networking and job hunting. Recruiters will often search for your profile before reaching out to schedule an interview. Make the best possible first impression by following these tips to improve your LinkedIn profile.
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1. Customize your URL
LinkedIn provides each user with a default random generated URL. Make your profile easier to find for recruiters by customizing your URL to your name (https://www. linkedin.com/in/FirstLast/).
2. Update your profile picture
Make a good first impression by adding a headshot to your profile. Using an updated, professional photo of yourself is a great way to make yourself more memorable to recruiters by putting a face to your name.
3. Update your headline
Besides your name, the headline is the first thing that recruiters and people visiting your profile will read. Many students will put “Student at X University” as their headline; doing this does not give recruiters much information about you or your experience. If you have relevant experience to the job you want, mention that in your headline, if you do not have any relevant experience, you can use “Aspiring (Job Title)”.
4. Make more connections
LinkedIn prioritizes accounts based on number of connections and relevant experience when recruiters are searching for candidates. Improve your chances of being shown to recruiters by increasing the number of connections you have. Connect with your peers, professors, guest speakers that come to your classes, or anyone you have met in a professional capacity. 500 connections or more is a good goal to attain, as LinkedIn displays any amount under 500 as the exact number (ex. 237), whereas over 500 is simply stated as 500+ connections.
5. Stay active
Engage with your connections on LinkedIn through writing posts, liking and commenting on your connections’ posts, and joining groups associated with your interests. Doing so will allow you to further expand your network and possibly bring about a new job opportunity.
6. Highlight relevant experience
Another way to stand out to recruiters is through your experience section. Instead of copying and pasting your resume into your profile, include experience from your past employment that you believe are relevant to where you’d like your future career to go. Aim to include three to five bullet points for each job that convey your accomplishments. Show the impact you made at each employer by including numbers and action words where relevant. For example: “Increased sales by 15% in the first year of employment”
7. Go public
Change your account settings to make your profile public. Doing so allows your profile to show up in searches, therefore allowing recruiters to find you.
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